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Liquidambar formosana

Common name:	Formosan Gum	Family:	Hamamelidaceae
Author:	Hance.	Botanical references:	11, 200, 266
Synonyms:	Liquidambar acerifolia (Maxim.)
Known Hazards:	None known
Range:	E. Asia - Central and southern China from Taiwan to south-west Sichuan.
Habitat:	A very wide range, especially in the warm temperate zones, growing in woodland and in open country[109]. Moist forests at elevations to 2500 metres in the south of its range[260].
Edibility Rating (1-5):	0	Medicinal Rating (1-5):	3

Other Possible Synonyms:	From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below.
	L. maximowiczii[H]
Other Common Names:	From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below.
	Feng [E], Feng Hsiang Chih [E], Feng Jen [E], Feng Tzu Kuei [E], Formosa Sweet Gum [H], Pai Chiao Hsiang [E],
Epithets:	From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
	formosa = beautiful;
Systematics:	From a USDA Plants Database
	Order: Hamamelidales. Witch-hazel family
Other Range Info:	From the Ethnobotany Database
	China

Physical Characteristics

A decidious tree growing to 12m by 10m . It is hardy to zone 7 and is frost tender. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from October to November. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant) and are pollinated by Bees. We rate it 0/5 for edibility and 3/5 for medicinal use.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats and Possible Locations

Woodland, Secondary.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Disclaimer

Anodyne; Antiphlogistic; Antirheumatic; Astringent; Balsamic; Cancer; Haemostatic; Odontalgic; Skin.

The leaves are used in the treatment of cancerous growths[218].
The stem is anodyne, antiphlogistic, astringent, balsamic and haemostatic[178, 218]. The resin from the stems is mixed with Rhamnus crenata fruits and used as a suppository for constipation[218].
The stem bark is used in the treatment of fluxes and skin diseases[218].
The fruits are antirheumatic, diuretic and galactogogue[176]. They are used in the treatment of arthritis, lumbago, oedema, oliguria, decreased milk production and skin diseases[176, 218].
The root is used in the treatment of cancerous growths[218].
The resin from the stems is used to treat bleeding boils, carbuncles, toothache and tuberculosis[218].

Other Uses

Resin; Wood.

An aromatic resin is obtained from the trunk of this tree[4]. It forms in cavities of the bark and is harvested in autumn. It is used medicinally[178].
Wood. Used to make tea chests for higher grade teas[1, 46, 61].

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist but not swampy loam in a sunny sheltered position[1, 200]. Succeeds in light shade[188]. Requires a deep fertile soil[200]. Prefers a neutral to acid soil, growing poorly on shallow soils overlying chalk[188].
Not all introductions of this species are hardy[11]. The Monticola group, which comes from western Hubei and north-eastern Sichuan, tolerates temperatures lower than -5°c[200, 260]. Young plants are susceptible to frost damage and should be protected for their first few years[200].
This species resents root disturbance, young plants should be pot-grown and be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Harvest the seed capsules at the end of October or November, dry in a warm place and extract the seed by shaking the capsule. Stored seed requires 1 - 3 months stratification and sometimes takes 2 years to germinate. Sow it as early in the year as possible. Germination rates are often poor. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse for their first winter. Since they resent root disturbance, it is best to plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of their second year and give them some protection from cold for their first winter outdoors[K].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame.
Suckers in early spring.
Layering in October/November. Takes 12 months.

Suppliers

For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.

Web References

Details of Medicinal Uses, Habitats, etc. in M. Grieve A Modern Herbal (1931) [4]
[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
[E] Ethnobotany Data (common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
[G] Data (Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
[HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database

References for Liquidambar acerifolia (a possible synonym).

[H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database

References for the family Hamamelidaceae.

[CHINA] Draft Data Very detailed botanical/identification info. from the Flora of China.

See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.

Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.

References

[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4] Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9
Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.

[109] Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.
Details of the palnts collected by the plant collector E. H. Wilson on his travels in China. Gives some habitats. Not for the casual reader.

[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
A very good Chinese herbal.

[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.

[188] Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[260] Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998 ISBN 0-330-37376-5
Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.

[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.

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Bibliography

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future - Species Database. Copyright (c) 1997-2003.
WEB search engine by Rich Morris - Home Page- Contact Info
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